<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1999

                                       OR

[ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________________ to ______________________

                         Commission File Number: 0-19594
                                                 -------

                          INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS, INC.
                          -----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Illinois                                                              95-3790111
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)            

850 East Algonquin Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, Illinois                   60173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)

                                 (847) 839-3939
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
                                                               [X] Yes   [ ] No


                      APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as
of April 30, 1999:

            Class                                   Outstanding April 30, 1999
            -----                                   --------------------------
Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value                           11,357,358 shares



<PAGE>   2

                                      INDEX

                          INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             PAGE NUMBER
                                                                                             -----------
<S>                                                                                              <C>
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION..............................................................      3

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)...................................................      3

         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
              as of March 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998....................................      3
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the
              Three Month Periods ended March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998...................      4
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
              Three Month Periods ended March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998...................      5
         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...............................      6

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
              and Results of Operations.....................................................      7

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.........................     13

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION.................................................................     14

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings..................................................................     14

Item 2.  Changes in Securities..............................................................     14

Item 3.  Defaults upon Senior Securities....................................................     14

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................................     14

Item 5.  Other Information..................................................................     14

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...................................................     14

SIGNATURES        ..........................................................................     15
</TABLE>

 
                                       2

<PAGE>   3
                         INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              THREE MONTH PERIODS
                                                                ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                ---------------
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)

                                                            1999              1998
                                                            ----              ----
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>
Net Sales:
     Vehicle sales                                      $ 51,258,000      $ 47,169,000
     Fee income                                           28,620,000        21,389,000
                                                        ------------      ------------

                                                          79,878,000        68,558,000
Cost and expenses:
     Cost of sales                                        59,941,000        52,092,000
     Direct operating expenses                            13,624,000        11,997,000
     Amortization of acquisition costs                       950,000           942,000
     Special charges                                               -         1,564,000
                                                        ------------      ------------
         Earnings from operations                          5,363,000         1,963,000

Other (income) expense:
     Interest expense                                        494,000           528,000
     Interest income                                        (225,000)         (174,000)
                                                        ------------      ------------

         Earnings before income taxes                      5,094,000         1,609,000

Income taxes                                               2,241,000           740,000
                                                        ------------      ------------
         Net earnings                                   $  2,853,000      $    869,000
                                                        ============      ============ 
Earnings per share:
     Basic                                              $        .25      $        .08
                                                        ============      ============ 
     Diluted                                            $        .25      $        .08
                                                        ============      ============ 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
     Basic                                                11,338,000        11,307,000
     Effect of dilutive securities - stock options            72,000            73,000
                                                        ------------      ------------
     Diluted                                              11,410,000        11,380,000
                                                        ============      ============ 
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                                       3
<PAGE>   4
                         INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  MARCH  31,          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                     1999                 1998
                                                                     ----                 ----
ASSETS                                                           (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                             <C>                  <C>
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                  $  19,804,000        $  11,682,000
     Short-term investments                                         8,385,000           11,138,000
     Accounts receivable, net                                      38,802,000           37,415,000
     Inventories                                                   12,739,000           11,229,000
     Other current assets                                           1,716,000            1,676,000
                                                                -------------        -------------
            Total current assets                                   81,446,000           73,140,000
                                                                -------------        -------------

Property and equipment, at cost, net                               22,965,000           22,312,000

Deferred income taxes                                               3,063,000            2,976,000

Other assets, principally goodwill, net                           127,987,000          128,916,000
                                                                -------------        -------------

                                                                $ 235,461,000        $ 227,344,000
                                                                =============        =============

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
     Current installments of long-term debt                     $     216,000        $     216,000
     Accounts payable                                              34,145,000           30,939,000
     Accrued liabilities                                            5,908,000            6,097,000
     Income taxes                                                   2,600,000              582,000
                                                                -------------        -------------
         Total current liabilities                                 42,869,000           37,834,000
                                                                -------------        -------------

Long-term debt, excluding current installments                     20,085,000           20,116,000
Accumulated postretirement benefits obligation                      3,429,000            3,485,000
Deferred income taxes                                               7,390,000            7,154,000
                                                                -------------        -------------

         Total liabilities                                         73,773,000           68,589,000
                                                                -------------        -------------

Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value of $.001 per share
     Authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued.                              -                    -
Common stock, par value of $.001 per share
     Authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
     11,341,358 and 11,327,169 shares as of March 31,
     1999 and December 31, 1998, respectively                          11,000               11,000
Additional paid-in capital                                        132,249,000          132,171,000
Retained earnings                                                  29,428,000           26,573,000
                                                                -------------        -------------

         Total shareholders' equity                               161,688,000          158,755,000
                                                                -------------        -------------

                                                                $ 235,461,000        $ 227,344,000
                                                                =============        =============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                                       4

<PAGE>   5

                         INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Three Month Periods
                                                                                           Ended March 31,      
                                                                                     ---------------------------
                                                                                         1999           1998
                                                                                         ----           ----
<S>                                                                                  <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings                                                                           2,853,000     $   869,000
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                                                     2,223,000       2,152,000
     (Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets                                              (9,000)          4,000
     Change in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquired companies):
     (Increase) decrease in:
       Short-term investments                                                          2,753,000     (10,683,000)
       Accounts receivable, net                                                       (1,387,000)     (1,635,000)
       Inventories                                                                    (1,510,000)        952,000
       Other current assets                                                              (40,000)        120,000
       Other assets                                                                      (21,000)        (75,000)
     Increase (decrease) in:
       Accounts payable                                                                3,206,000       3,194,000
       Accrued liabilities                                                              (189,000)       (562,000)
       Income taxes payable                                                            2,167,000         366,000
                                                                                     -----------     -----------
         Total adjustments                                                             7,193,000      (6,167,000)
                                                                                     -----------     -----------

     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                              10,046,000      (5,298,000)
                                                                                     -----------     -----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Capital expenditures                                                               (1,946,000)     (1,414,000)
   Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets                                                 31,000               -
   Payments made in connection with acquired companies, net of cash acquired                   -      (1,748,000)
                                                                                     -----------     -----------

       Net cash used in investing activities                                          (1,915,000)     (3,162,000)
                                                                                     -----------     -----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                                 78,000         114,000
   Principal payments of long-term debt                                                   (9,000)       (120,000)
                                                                                     -----------     -----------

       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                76,000          (6,000)
                                                                                     -----------     -----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                        8,122,000      (8,466,000)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                      11,682,000      25,972,000
                                                                                     -----------     -----------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                           $19,804,000     $17,506,000
                                                                                     ===========     ===========

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: 
   Cash paid during the year for:
     Interest                                                                        $   861,000     $   889,000
                                                                                     ===========     ===========
     Income taxes                                                                        111,000         375,000
                                                                                     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
                                      5
<PAGE>   6

                          INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS, INC.
                                 AND SUBSIDIARY

              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

1.     GENERAL

       The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Insurance
       Auto Auctions, Inc. and its subsidiary (collectively, the "Company") have
       been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial
       statements and, in the opinion of the Company, reflect all adjustments
       (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
       presentation for each of the periods presented. The results of operations
       for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for full
       fiscal years.

       As contemplated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under
       Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, the accompanying consolidated financial
       statements and related notes have been condensed and do not contain
       certain information that will be included in the Company's annual
       consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. For further
       information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes
       thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
       ended December 31, 1998.


2.     INCOME TAXES

       Income taxes were computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be
       applicable for the full fiscal year, which is subject to ongoing review
       and evaluation by the Company.


3.     NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

       Net earnings per share represents diluted earnings per share and is based
       on the weighted average number of shares of common and potentially
       issuable common stock equivalents outstanding.


4.     SPECIAL CHARGES

       During the first quarter of 1998, a settlement agreement was entered into
       by the Company resolving all outstanding differences between Insurance
       Auto Auctions, Inc. and a former director, who resigned as a director and
       Chairman of the Board. In the settlement agreement, various agreements
       were terminated (including agreements providing for compensation and
       certain benefits through June 30, 1999, and all outstanding stock
       options). Per the settlement agreement, the Company made a lump-sum
       payment of $700,000 to the former director. This included a bonus payment
       for 1997 of $126,000 pursuant to a 1996 agreement between the Company and
       the former director. The difference of $574,000 was recorded as a special
       charge in first quarter 1998. In addition, McKinsey & Co. had been
       retained to assist the Company in identifying and developing additional
       customer-valued services, focusing on opportunities to add value to the
       insurance industry's automobile claims process and reduce costs for these
       organizations. The scope of the work completed also included the
       evaluation and development of new business offerings that leverage the
       company's current competencies, geographic presence and assets. The cost
       of the project of $990,000 was recorded as a special charge in the first
       quarter of 1998.


                                       6

<PAGE>   7


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS.

The discussion in this section contains forward-looking information that is
subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected, expressed or implied by such
forward looking information. The Company's actual results could differ
materially from those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute
to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Factors
That May Affect Future Results" below. Among these risks are governmental
regulation, weather conditions, market value of salvage, competition, quality
and quantity of inventory available from suppliers and dependence on key
insurance company suppliers.


OVERVIEW

              The Company offers insurance companies and other vehicle suppliers
cost-effective salvage processing solutions through a variety of different
methods of sale, including percentage of sale consignment, fixed fee consignment
an, purchase agreement. Under the purchase agreement sales method, the vehicle
is owned by the Company and the sales price of the vehicle is recorded in
revenue. Under the fixed fee and percentage of sale consignment sales methods,
the vehicle is not owned by the Company and only the fees associated with the
processing and sale of the vehicle are recorded in net sales. By assuming some
of the risk inherent in owning the salvage vehicle instead of selling on a
consignment basis, the Company is potentially able to increase profits by
improving the value of the salvage vehicle prior to the sale.

              Under the purchase agreement method, IAA generally pays the
insurance company a pre-determined percentage of the Actual Cash Value ("ACV")
to purchase the vehicle, pursuant to a purchase agreement. ACV's are the
estimated pre-accident fair value of a vehicle, adjusted for additional
equipment, mileage and other factors. Because the Company's purchase price is
fixed by contract, changes in ACV's or in the market or auction prices for
salvage vehicles have an impact on the profitability of the sale of vehicles
under the purchase agreement method. With purchase agreement sales, significant
increases in used car prices and ACV's generally benefit the Company. However,
if increases in used car prices and ACV's are not associated with a
corresponding increase in prices at salvage auctions, there can be a negative
impact on the profitability of purchase agreement sales.

              The Company has adjustment and risk-sharing clauses in its
standard purchase agreement contracts designed to provide some protection to the
Company and its customers from certain unexpected, significant changes in the
ACV/salvage price relationship. The Company has renegotiated or terminated
significant purchase agreement contracts not conforming to the Company's
standards for this type of agreement, converting customers to either a percent
of sale consignment or fixed fee consignment contract whenever possible.
However, the Company continues to offer purchase agreements to those customers
who select it.

              Since its initial public offering, the Company has grown primarily
through a series of acquisitions to include 51 locations as of March 31, 1999.
In February of 1998, the Company acquired Auto Disposal Company ("ADC"). ADC
operated two pools in Alabama.

              The Company's operating results are subject to fluctuations,
including quarterly fluctuations, that can result from a number of factors, some
of which are more significant for sales under the purchase agreement method. See
"Factors That May Affect Future Results" below for a further discussion of some
of the factors that affect or could affect the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.



                                       7


<PAGE>   8

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 1999 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 
1998

              Net sales of the Company increased to $79,878,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 1999, from $68,558,000 for the same three month period in
1998, a 17% increase. This is the result of an increase in the number of units
sold, as compared to the same period in 1998, and increased fee revenues
primarily in buyer fees.

              Unit volume for the three months ended March 31, 1999 increased
10%, as compared to the same period in 1998. The increase was the result of more
units being available for sale due to strong vehicle assignments taken in the
fourth quarter of 1998 and early in the first quarter of 1999. The vehicle
assignments were the result of an increase in same store sales, severe winter
storms in select areas of the country and an increase in the charity business.

              The purchase agreement sales method of processing accounted for
28% of total volume, down 2% from the same period in 1998. The percent of sale
agreement sales method of processing accounted for 14% of total volume, up 8%
from the same period in 1998. The Company continues to focus on converting fixed
fee consignment and purchase agreement contract types to the generally more
profitable percent of sale contract type.

              Gross profit increased 21% to $19,937,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1999, from $16,466,000 for the same period in 1998. Gross profit
per unit of $158 for the three months ended March 31, 1999 was 10% higher than
for the comparable period of 1998. The increase in gross profit per unit is the
result of the quicker than anticipated implementation of several gross profit
enhancement initiatives and a continued focus on price management. A key
emphasis of the gross profit enhancement initiatives has been on increasing the
number and variety of vehicle enhancement services which increase selling prices
and improve the Company's gross profit per unit. The price management initiative
includes an ongoing evaluation of the Company's services and corresponding fee
structures to insure the Company's service offerings are properly valued in the
market place.

              Direct operating expenses increased to $13,624,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 1999, from $11,997,000 for the same period in 1998.
Direct operating expenses per unit increased to $108 for the three months ended
March 31, 1999, as compared to $104 for the same period in 1998. The increase is
the result of higher earned incentives, a full quarter of operating expenses
related to the Alabama acquisition, increased facility related costs and a
general increase in operating expenses.

              Amortization of acquisition costs associated with acquisitions
increased to $950,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1999 from $942,000
for the comparable period in 1998. The increase was the result of the
acquisition of the branches in Alabama.

              Interest expense decreased to $494,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1999, from $528,000 for the same period in 1998. The change in
interest expense was attributable to a decrease in long-term debt as a result of
the Company's repayment of several notes payable to sellers related to certain
acquisitions. Interest income increased to $225,000 for the three month period
ended March 31, 1999, from $174,000 for the comparable period in 1998. The
increase is the result of an increase in cash and short term investments.

              Income taxes increased to $2,241,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1999, from $740,000 for the comparable period in 1998. This increase
is the result of the increase in earnings. The Company's effective tax rate for
the three months ended March 31, 1999 was 44% versus 46% for the comparable
period in 1998. The effective tax rate is subject to ongoing review and
evaluation by the Company.

              The Company's net earnings were $2,853,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1999, a 66% increase from $1,714,000, before special charges,
for the comparable period in 1998.


                                       8
<PAGE>   9

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

              At March 31, 1999, the Company had current assets of $81,446,000,
including $19,804,000 of cash and cash equivalents and $8,385,000 of short-term
investments. Current liabilities were $42,869,000. The Company had working
capital of $38,577,000 at March 31, 1999, a $3,271,000 increase from December
31, 1998.

              At March 31, 1999, the Company's indebtedness consisted of 8.6%
Senior Notes approximating $20,000,000, a post-retirement benefits liability
relating to the Underwriters Salvage Company acquisition of approximately
$3,429,000 and amounts due to the sellers related to certain acquisitions. There
were no borrowings outstanding under the Company's revolving line of credit
facility as of March 31, 1999.

              Capital expenditures were approximately $1,946,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 1999. These capital expenditures primarily included
upgrading and expanding the Company's management information system and the
Company's facilities. The Company currently leases most of its facilities and
other properties.

              The Company believes that cash generated from operations and its
borrowing capacity will be sufficient to fund capital expenditures and provide
adequate working capital for operations for the next twelve months. Part of the
Company's plan is continued growth possibly through new facility start-ups,
acquisitions, and the development of new claims processing services. At some
time in the future, the Company may require additional financing. There can be
no assurance that additional financing, if required, will be available on
favorable terms.

The Company's operating results have not historically been materially affected
by inflation.


RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

              The Company undertook an initiative, ("the Project"), in mid 1997,
the objective of which is to determine and assess the risks of the Year 2000
issue, and plan and institute mitigating actions to minimize those risks, The
Project team is being lead by the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. The scope of the Project includes both IT based systems and
non IT systems. Modifications required to bring the Company's IT systems into
Year 2000 compliance were identified by the Project team. Based on work
completed by the Project team, the Company does not believe its non-IT system
Year 2000 compliance issues represent a significant risk to the Company.

              The required modifications to the Company's standard transaction
processing system ("ESPS") have been completed. Based on the findings of the
Project team and the successful implementation of these required modifications,
the Company believes this system is currently Year 2000 compliant in all
material respects. However, certain of the Company's operations have yet to be
converted from non-Year 2000 compliant legacy systems currently in use to ESPS.
These operations are scheduled for conversation by October 1, 1999, although no
assurances can be given the conversion will be completed on schedule. Failure to
convert these operations on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect
on the company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

              The Company may be impacted by the effect the Year 2000 issue has
on the ability of the Company's insurance customers to process automobile claims
and state departments of motor vehicles ("DMV's") to process titles on a timely
basis. Any delay in the timely processing of automobile claims that
significantly reduces the number of units the Company has available for sale
would have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial position,
results of operations or liquidity. In addition, the Company relies on state
DMV's to timely process titles to vehicles. Because the Company must generally



                                       9


<PAGE>   10



obtain title prior to selling a vehicle, a significant delay in title processing
would impact the Company's ability to sell vehicles from inventory and have a
material adverse effect on the company's financial position, results of
operations or liquidity.

              The Company has been, and will continue to be, in communication
with its principal insurance customers and the DMV's with regard to their Year
2000 readiness. None of the responses received to date suggests there will be
any interruption in their operations which would have a material adverse impact
on the Company although there can be no assurances given in this regard.
Contingency plans will be completed during the second quarter of 1999.

              The cost to the Company of dealing with the Year 2000 issue is not
expected to be material. Although a portion of the of IT personnel and related
management has been and will be employed in evaluating the problem, taking
corrective actions and preparing contingency plans, the Company does not believe
the IT projects or operations have been or will be adversely affected. Costs of
review, analysis and corrective action are expected to total less than $100,000.


FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

              The Company operates in a changing environment that involves a
number of risks, some of which are beyond the Company's control. The following
discussion highlights some of these risks.

              Quarterly Fluctuations. The Company's operating results have in
the past and may in the future fluctuate significantly depending on a number of
factors, some of which are more significant for sales under the purchase
agreement method. These factors include changes in the market value of salvage
vehicles, attendance at salvage auctions, delays or changes in state title
processing, fluctuations in Actual Cash Values ("ACV's") of salvage vehicles,
changes in regulations governing the processing of salvage vehicles, general
weather conditions and the availability and quality of salvage vehicles. The
Company is also dependent upon receiving a sufficient number of total loss
vehicles as well as recovered theft vehicles to sustain its profit margins.
Factors which can effect the number of vehicles received include: reduction of
policy writing by insurance providers which would affect the number of claims
over a period of time; changes in direct repair procedures that would reduce the
number of newer, less damaged total loss vehicles that tend to have the higher
salvage values. Additionally in the last few years there has been a declining
trend in theft occurrences. These factors are further aggravated in the event
the Company fails to renegotiate purchase agreement contracts that are volume
and mix dependent on availability of these types of sales. As a result, the
Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of its results of operations
are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as any indication
of future performance. In addition, revenues for any future quarter are not
predictable with any significant degree of accuracy while the Company's expense
levels are relatively fixed. If revenue levels are below expectations, operating
results are likely to be adversely affected. Due to all of the foregoing
factors, it is likely that in some future quarters the Company's operating
results will be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors.

              Quality and Quantity of Inventory Available from Suppliers. The
Company is dependent upon receiving a sufficient number of total loss vehicles
as well as recovered theft vehicles to sustain its profit margins. Factors which
can effect the number of salvage vehicles received include the reduction of
policy writing by insurance providers which would affect the number of claims
over a period of time and changes in direct repair procedures that would reduce
the number of newer less damaged total loss vehicles that tend to have higher
salvage values. The decreases in the quality and quantity of inventory, and in
particular the availability of newer and less damaged vehicles, are further
aggravated under the purchase agreement method of salvage and can have a
material adverse affect on the operating results and financial condition of the
Company.

              Competition. Historically, the automotive salvage industry has
been highly fragmented. As a result, the Company faces intense competition for
the supply of salvage vehicles from vehicle suppliers, as 




                                       10
<PAGE>   11

well as competition from processors of vehicles from other regional salvage
pools. These regional salvage pools generally process vehicles under the fixed
fee consignment method and generally do not offer the full range of services
provided by the Company. The salvage industry has recently experienced
consolidation, however, and the Company believes its principal publicly-held
competitor is Copart, Inc. ("Copart") has completed a number of acquisitions of
regional salvage pools and competes with IAA in most of IAA's geographic
markets. Due to the limited number of vehicle suppliers, competition is intense
for salvage vehicles from Copart and regional suppliers. It is also possible
that the Company may encounter further competition from existing competitors and
new market entrants that are significantly larger and have greater financial and
marketing resources. Other potential competitors could include used car auction
companies, providers of claims software to insurance companies, certain salvage
buyer groups including companies which are consolidating the dismantling
industry and insurance companies, some of which presently supply auto salvage to
IAA. While most insurance companies have abandoned or reduced efforts to sell
salvage without the use of service providers such as the Company, they may in
the future decide to dispose of their salvage directly to customers. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against
current or future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the Company
will not have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results and
financial condition.

              Dependence on Key Insurance Company Suppliers. Historically, a
limited number of insurance companies has accounted for a substantial portion of
the Company's revenues. For example, in 1998, vehicles supplied by the Company's
three largest suppliers accounted for approximately 44% of the Company's unit
sales. The largest suppliers, State Farm Insurance, Allstate Insurance
("Allstate"), and Farmers Insurance, each accounted for approximately 17%, 14%,
and 13%, respectively, of the Company's unit sales. A loss or reduction in the
number of vehicles from any of these suppliers, or adverse change in the
agreements that such suppliers have with the Company, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results and financial condition.

              Purchase Agreement Method of Sale. The Company has entered into a
number of purchase agreements, including agreements with its most significant
insurance suppliers, that obligate the Company to purchase most salvage vehicles
offered to it at a formula percentage of ACV. From 1993 to 1996, increased ACV's
on which the Company's costs are based reduced the profitability that the
Company realizes on purchase agreement contracts. This could occur again if used
car prices increase faster than selling prices. The Company has renegotiated
most of its agreements with certain of these suppliers. Further increases in
ACV's or declines in the market or auction prices for salvage vehicles could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. The Company has added adjustment and risk-sharing clauses
to its new standard purchase agreement contracts designed to provide some
protection to the Company and its customers from certain unexpected, significant
changes in the ACV's that are not accompanied by a comparable increase in sales
price.

              Governmental Regulation. The Company's operations are subject to
regulation, supervision and licensing under various federal, state and local
statutes, ordinances and regulations. The acquisition and sale of totaled and
recovered theft vehicles is regulated by state motor vehicle departments in each
of the locations in which the Company operates. Changes in governmental
regulations or interpretations of existing regulations can result in increased
costs, reduced salvage vehicle prices and decreased profitability for the
Company. In addition to the regulation of sales and acquisitions of vehicles,
the Company is also subject to various local zoning requirements with regard to
the location of its auction and storage facilities. These zoning requirements
vary from location to location. Failure to comply with present or future
regulations or changes in existing regulations could have a material adverse
effect of the Company's operating results and financial condition.

              Provision of Services as a National or Regional Supplier. The
provision of services to insurance company suppliers on a national or regional
basis require that the Company expends resources and dedicate management to a
small number of individual accounts, resulting in a significant amount of fixed
costs. The development of a referral based national network service, in
particular, has required the




                                       11
<PAGE>   12


devotion of financial resources without immediate reimbursement of such expenses
by the insurance company suppliers.

              Integration and Expansion of Facilities. The Company seeks to
increase sales and profitability through acquisition of other salvage auction
facilities, new site expansion and the increase of salvage vehicle volume at
existing facilities. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to
acquire new facilities on terms economical to the Company or that the Company
will be able to add additional facilities on terms economical to the Company or
that the Company will be able to increase revenues at newly acquired facilities
above levels realized prior to acquisition. The Company's ability to achieve
these objectives is dependent, among other things, on the integration of new
facilities, and their information systems, into its existing operations, the
identification and lease of suitable premises and the availability of capital.
There can be no assurance that this integration will occur, that suitable
premises will be identified or that additional capital will be available to fund
expansion and integration of the Company's business. Any delays or obstacles in
this integration process could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. Furthermore, the Company
has limited sources of additional capital available for acquisitions, expansions
and start-ups. The Company's ability to integrate and expand its facilities will
depend on its ability to identify and obtain additional sources of capital to
finance such integration and expansion. In the future, the Company will be
required to continue to improve its financial and management controls, reporting
systems and procedures on a timely basis and expand, train and manage its
employee work force. The failure to improve these systems on a timely basis and
to successfully expand and train the Company's work force could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results and financial condition.

              Volatility of Stock Price. The market price of the Company's
common stock has been and could continue to be subject to significant
fluctuations in response to various factors and events, including variations in
the Company's operating results, the timing and size of acquisitions and
facility openings, the loss of vehicle suppliers or buyers, the announcement of
new vehicle supply agreements by the Company or its competitors, changes in
regulations governing the Company's operations or its vehicle suppliers,
environmental problems or litigation.

              Environmental Regulation. The Company's operations are subject to
federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the protection of the
environment. In the salvage vehicle auction industry, large numbers of wrecked
vehicles are stored at auction facilities for short periods of time. Minor
spills of gasoline, motor oils and other fluids may occur from time to time at
the Company's facilities and may result in soil, surface water or groundwater
contamination. Petroleum products and other hazardous materials are contained in
aboveground or underground storage tanks located at certain of the Company's
facilities. Waste materials such as waste solvents or used oils are generated at
some of the Company's facilities and are disposed of as nonhazardous or
hazardous wastes. The Company believes that it is in compliance in all material
respects with applicable environmental regulations and does not anticipate any
material capital expenditure for environmental compliance or remediation.
Environmental laws and regulations, however, could become more stringent over
time and there can be no assurance that the Company or its operations will not
be subject to significant compliance costs in the future. To date, the Company
has not incurred expenditures for preventive or remedial action with respect to
contamination or the use of hazardous materials that have had a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. The
contamination that could occur at the Company's facilities and the potential
contamination by previous users of certain acquired facilities create the risk,
however, that the Company could incur substantial expenditures for preventive or
remedial action, as well as potential liability arising as a consequence of
hazardous material contamination, which could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's operating results and financial condition.




                                       12
<PAGE>   13


ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

         The Company had approximately $8,385,000 of short-term investments as
of March 31, 1999. These investments largely consisted of state government
obligations and had either variable rates of interest or stated interest rates
ranging from 3% to 7%. The Company's short-term investments are exposed to
certain market risks inherent with such assets. This risk is mitigated by the
Company's policy of investing in securities with high credit ratings and
investing through major financial institutions with high credit ratings.

         The Company has senior notes payable of $20,000,000 at an interest rate
of 8.6%. The terms of the note agreement are such that pre-payment of such debt
may not be advantageous to the Company in the event that funds may be available
to the Company at a lower rate of interest.

















                                       13
<PAGE>   14


Part II. Other Information.

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.  Inapplicable

Item 2.  Changes in Securities.  Inapplicable

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.  Inapplicable

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote On Security Holders.  Inapplicable

Item 5.  Other Information.  Inapplicable

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports On Form 8-K.

         (a)   Exhibits.

               3.1   Bylaws of the Registrant, As Amended as of May 1999

               27.1  Financial Data Schedule

         (b)   Reports On Form 8-K. No Reports On Form 8-K Were Filed During 
               Fiscal Quarter Ending March 31, 1999.










                                       14
<PAGE>   15

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                          INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS, INC.




Date: May 14, 1999        By:     /s/ Linda C. Larrabee    
      ------------           ---------------------------------------------------
                          Name:   Linda C. Larrabee
                          Title:  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                                 and Secretary

                                  (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal 
                                           Financial Officer)

















                                       15
<PAGE>   16

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX




EXHIBIT NO.
-----------

3.1            Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended as of May 1999

27.1           Financial Data Schedule














                                       16